Butterfly – Tailed Jay (Graphium agamemnon)
The Tailed Jay (Graphium agamemnon) features in this vivid print — a bright, energetic depiction of one of the most eye-catching butterflies found from India and Sri Lanka through Southeast Asia to northern Australia. Its pattern of emerald-green spots on black wings, combined with a swift, restless flight and the long tails of its hindwings, makes this species instantly recognisable.
The Tailed Jay is among the most widespread members of its genus, thriving in rainforests, gardens, and open countryside across its range. First described by Linnaeus in 1758, it is active year-round and produces multiple broods thanks to a remarkably fast life cycle — just over a month from egg to adult. Its constant motion is distinctive; adults rarely sit still, often fluttering their wings even while feeding on nectar from lantana and other flowering plants.
The species’ bright green markings help it blend into foliage when resting, and subtle regional variations produce slight differences in tail length and colour intensity between males and females. The caterpillars are green and well camouflaged against their host plants, while adults are powerful fliers that rely on their agility for survival. Unlike many related species, Tailed Jays are seldom seen gathering at damp patches, though they still extract minerals from moist surfaces in a behaviour known as “puddling”.
Bugs Series
Bugs gathers illustrations adapted from and inspired by founder Simon Tyler's book Bugs, published by Pavilion Children’s Books in 2017. The series celebrates the graphic elegance of insect life: armour-like exoskeletons, iridescent wings, compound eyes, and the ingenious mechanics of movement and camouflage. It’s a visual field guide reimagined—clean, bold forms and carefully tuned palettes that bring structure to the surface.
Each piece begins with the research-led drawings from the book and then goes further: refined linework, rebalanced composition, and subtle textural detailing designed for generous print sizes. The aim is clarity and presence — images that feel scientifically grounded yet striking on the wall. Printed with the same archival care as our other series, Bugs turns natural history into crisp, enduring graphic art.
Printing & Materials
Our Bugs series is produced in collaboration with specialist fine-art printing partners using museum-grade 250 gsm archival giclée paper.
Each print is made to order with exceptional precision and colour accuracy, using pigment-based inks for long-term stability and rich tonal depth.
Prints are carefully rolled in acid-free tissue and shipped in rigid cardboard tubes to ensure they arrive in perfect condition, ready for framing.
All materials and processes are chosen for their longevity, texture, and fidelity to the original artwork, reflecting our commitment to quality and craft.